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"Prestar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to lend", and "pedir prestado" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to borrow". Learn more about the difference between "prestar" and "pedir prestado" below.
prestar(
prehs
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to loan)
a. to lend
Te prestaré algunos de los libros de mi hermano.I will lend you some of my brother's books.
2. (to give)
a. to provide
Recibió el dinero por el servicio que prestó.He received the money for the service he provided.
prestarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
4. (to take temporarily) (Caribbean)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
a. to borrow
Mi hermano se prestó de mi carro sin mi permiso.My brother borrowed my car without my permission.
pedir prestado(
peh
-
deer
prehs
-
tah
-
doh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to borrow
Le pedí prestado su libro de inglés para preparar el examen.I borrowed her English book to prepare for the exam.
a. to ask to borrow
Le he pedido prestada la cámara, pero no me la deja.I asked to borrow her camera, but she won't lend it to me.
